Abu Dhabi Airports, the operator of the emirate’s five airports including the flagship Zayed International Airport (AUH), welcomed more than 33 million passengers in 2025 — the highest number ever recorded in Abu Dhabi’s aviation history. The rapid rise in travel demand has seen passenger volumes across the emirate nearly double in just three years, with AUH emerging as the fastest-growing mega airport in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, according to the latest figures.
The record-breaking year was fueled by a major network expansion, as airlines introduced new destinations, boosted flight frequencies on popular routes, and strengthened connectivity with key markets in EMEA and Asia. In 2025 alone, AUH added 39 new routes and attracted seven new airlines to its growing portfolio.
Now in its second full year of operations, AUH handled around 98 percent of Abu Dhabi’s total passenger traffic and 73 percent of all aircraft movements. The airport processed 8.59 million passengers in the fourth quarter, marking a 13.8 percent increase from the same period in 2024.
Growth was powered by both new carriers and expanded services from existing partners, including China Eastern Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, Jazeera Airways, and home carrier Etihad Airways. New destinations launched during the year included major global hubs such as Addis Ababa, Atlanta, and Hong Kong, along with emerging markets like Berlin, Hanoi, Pune, and Warsaw.
Throughout the year, AUH also registered several peak travel days surpassing 100,000 passengers — a major operational milestone that underscores the airport’s efficiency and appeal as a preferred global hub for both direct and connecting traffic.
Ahmed Juma Al Shamisi, Acting CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, said:
“Reaching 33 million passengers is a major milestone for us and a testament to our readiness to meet the growing demand for global travel. This success reflects the dedication of our entire workforce and our commitment to the strategic vision set by Abu Dhabi’s leadership.
We’re focused on building on this momentum through operational excellence, expanding our network, and strengthening our cargo and logistics services — all of which will support Abu Dhabi’s continued rise as a global aviation hub.”
The year also marked a series of “firsts” for Abu Dhabi Airports. For the first time, annual traffic across the emirate’s five airports exceeded 30 million passengers, while double-digit growth was recorded for a 19th consecutive year. The strong performance stems from sustained investment, close collaboration with airline partners, and ongoing improvements to capacity and passenger experience.
Traffic growth was not limited to Zayed International Airport. Al Bateen Executive Airport (AZI) recorded a 15.3 percent surge in aircraft movements in the last quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024 — and a 7 percent increase for the full year. Meanwhile, Al Ain International Airport (AAN) achieved impressive growth, with passenger numbers climbing 48.1 percent year-on-year in Q4 and 9.2 percent annually.
Cargo operations also expanded significantly, with nearly 770,000 tonnes handled across Abu Dhabi’s airports in 2025 — a 12 percent rise over the previous year. The robust performance highlights Abu Dhabi’s growing role as a key logistics gateway connecting global trade corridors.
Zayed International Airport also earned several prestigious distinctions during the year, including Best Airport for Retail at the 2025 Frontier Awards and Highly Commended recognition at the Aviation Business Awards. AUH further achieved Level 2 Accessibility Accreditation and Level 3 Customer Experience Accreditation from Airports Council International (ACI), alongside multiple awards for technology innovation and passenger service excellence.
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